A Clearlake man who allegedly robbed a local Jack in the Box at gunpoint entered a plea of not guilty during a recent arraignment hearing.

Giovanni Madrigal-Rincon, 19, was in custody since the incident during the early morning hours last month.

The Court appointed Public Defender Edward Savin to represent the defendant.

Judge Markham presided over the matter and disclosed that he socialized with Savin frequently outside of work. This occurred before him becoming a judge, and he sees no need for disqualification.

The defense requested a bail study in this case as the request was denied due to bail being over the amount of $1,000,000 — the bail is set at $2,250,000 in this matter.

Madrigal-Rincon has been charged with two counts of kidnapping to commit robbery, three counts of robbery, two counts of kidnapping and three counts of assault with a firearm on a person.

According to Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd N. Joseph, the incident occurred at 1:51 a.m. when officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the fast food restaurant. The suspect, masked and carrying a large loaded shotgun, had just forced two employees on their break to the front of the store while taking a third employee to a small safe located at a rear office by gunpoint. He then grabbed an undisclosed amount of money from the safe and fled the scene toward the McDonald’s parking lot, located right across.

Employees said they saw the male leave in a silver, four-door vehicle toward Highway 53.

The 19-year-old man was the subject of a five-hour search before his arrest near Travelodge Clearlake.

A bail review and a preliminary hearing were set for April 16.

The District Attorney was directed to notify the victim of the bail hearing.